The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

20 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. send on the titles with the original records transcribed in the native tongue, ■without a translation, or only an occasional word of explanation as to the character of the record itself. Then on their arrival in New York we are compelled to AN" AKABIC IXSCKIPTION. get a translation somewhere, somehow. It often transpires that the few innocent appearing hieroglyphics not only is the title, but also the name of the singer, or whether it is an instrumental, A EECOED TITLE IN JIALAY. and other extraneous details we cannot possibly incorporate in the label. The illustrations used in connection with this article — exact transcripts of some Arabic and Malay inscriptions — are reproductions of the originals, and serve to explain only one of the many difficulties the recordmaker, unfamiliar with the language of the country in which heis carrying on his working, must labor under. HOW RECORDS ABE BOUGHT IN CHINA. "Excepting in Japan," remarked Mr. Burns, in concluding his interesting narrative," all : the business transacted with the countries in the far East is through a personage known as a comprador. The Chinese are the merchants of this part of the world, and, of course, the comprador is invardably a Chinaman. He is a man, however, of the highest integrity and honesty. Without his services one could do no business whatever. So the first step is to be properly introduced to the comprador, who represents a group of merchants, and in buying the bunch will come where you have your sample records exhibited. Now, in placing an order for records several things are taken into consideration. Quality is not para mount, only a fractional part to be weighed. If one record will run two minutes and another three, the latter is invariably selected. Then the finish and appearance are balanced up, and also the weight, the heaviest record — meaning more material gross is obtained for the money — gets the preference. After these preliminaries are concluded the comprador thereupon allots the quantity of records each one of the dealers or merchants should take and places the order. You have no dealings with the merchants themselves. "These compradors are a peculiar institution. They not only supervise the buying, but guarantee the bill, and should a default occur, which is seldom, he pays the account promptly. The compradors also have a protective association among themselves, in which they are individually and collectively pledged to pay each other's debts in case of a failure or financial embarrassment. You can trust them implicitly, for the comprador is the man who buys the goods. Yes, without a question of doubt the export branch of the talking machine trade is not only presenting new problems constantly, but their solution is an absorbing study in which personal enthusiasm plays no small part." TAFFORD CO. EXPAND BUSINESS. VICTOR FOR POST CARD RECORDS. A novelty that has attracted a great deal of attention when exhibited in the window of the Musical Echo Co.'s store on Chestnut street, Philadelphia, Pa., is the Victor post card record, upon which a clever little machine records the message desired and which can be mailed to any part of the world and be reproduced upon any Victor talking machine. From present prospects it would seem as though the success of the novelty is assured and that a very popular post card will be added to the almost unlimited assortment at present on the market. The actual voice coming from a post card holds more interest for the recipient than almost any amount of writing. The Tafford Co., Mason City, la., have found it advisable to incorporate their business in order to properly take care of the extensive territory covered by that house. The articles of incorporation authorize capital stock to the amount of $25,000, of which $10,000 has been paid in. Geo. T. Elsham is president; A. V. Elsham, vicepresident, and Frank H. Gage, secretary and treasurer. Besides pianos and musical merchandise the company handle a complete line of talking machines including the Victor, Edison and Columbia, together with a large stock of records. NYOIL KNOWN THE WORLD OVER. New Bedford has long been famous as an oil center and W. F. Nye, of Nyoil fame, has won an enviable reputation as a refiner of the finest oils which are known the world over. These oils are made from the porpoise and black fish, and for talking machines, watches, guns, bicycles and any machines that require the very finest quality of oil, they are indispensable. At the time of the Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, Mr. Nye made an offer of $1,000 to be given to any man in the world who could produce, an oil other than fish oil that would be the equal of Nyoil in ever essential quality. The offer has never been taken up and stands good to this day. The secret of producing Nyoil remains with Mr. Nye and he is an exporter of this specialty to every part of the civilized world. In fact, that great astronomical clock in the Strassburg Cathedral in Germany is kept in proper condition through the means of Nyoil, and in no country are the specialties made by Mr. Nye more popular than in the German Fatherland. Talking machine men are a unit in their good words for Nyoil which is steadily enlarging its sphere of popularity among talking machine dealers and users of these home entertainers. The Four Best Months ROR SELLING TALKING MACHINES are February, March, April and May. To get your full share of the business avail yourself of the LYON & BEALY FACTORY SERVICE VICTOR and EDISON that fills all your orders promptly and just as ordered. Why, do j-ou suppose, are twice as many Victor and Edison dealers depending on us to fill all their orders, as a year ago ? ANSWER — Lyo7i & Healy Factory Want some snappy cuts cheap ? Write to us. Sevvice SeVVeS YoU Right We want your business (all of it, if you will) but we do something besides merely .wanting it — we deserve it. Wouldn't you like to know more about this Wholesale Service that has won the distinction of being the "Model Jobbing Service of America ? " Send us a small trial order to-day and give us the chance to show you. CHICAOO